"A BOLT FROM THE BLUE."

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8489, 18 July 1907, Page 5

"A BOLT FROM THE BLUE."

THE ALL-BLACKS IDBEEATED.

NEW SOUTH WALES WIN EASILY. By Telegraph—Press Association. Received July 17, .8.8; p.m. SYDNEY, .July 17. There was fine weather but a keen southerly wind blowing, to-day, for the second match between the New Zealand and New South Wales teams. About 25,000 people were The following were the teams:— New South Wales—Full-back, Dix; three-quarters, Messenger, Smith, Russell, McKivare; halves, Mandible and Wood; forwards, Rosewell, Griffin, Barnett, M'Cue, Rurge,.Row, Hughes and Murain (captain). New Zealand—Full back,G. Spencer (Wellington); three-quarters, Wallace (Wellington), Booth (Otago), Fryer (Canterbury); five-eighths, Eckhold (Otagd), Hunter (Taranaki); half - back, Roberts (Wellington) ; wing forward, Col man (Wanganui); forwards, Casey (Otago), McDonald (Otago), Cunningham (Auckland), Johnstone (Otago), Spencer (Wellington), Francis (Aucklandi), JPaton (Otago). Owing to slight injuries and other causes Mynott, Gillett, Seeling and G'Sullivan were unable to play. On Saturday the Welshmen made many mistakes, which prevented a closer finish than was accomplished. I But to-day they profited the mistakes, and gave an exposition of Rugby that would be difficult to find, fault with. Their passing was clean i and good, and their scrums excelled' those of the New Zealanders Every time the ball was got out in a workmanlike manner, and splendidly handled by the backs, while the visitors rarely got possession, and if they did three times it was as much as they did. So that the backs rarely had an opportunity to show their metaL On the few occasions it came their way ,they apparently did not know what (fe) do with it. In the second spell the £Jew South Wales' territory was virtually a desert, for the number of iica£S the New Zealanders could be sees there could be counted on the finger of one hand. It is a record, too, for New Zealand not to score at all. Tfcey have been beaten before, but never without scoring. The All Blacks won the toss, and took advantage of a strong wind from the northern «nd. The Blues made an early start by a good dribbling rush, which Wallace only succeeded in stopping in the nick of time. Play was removed to the centre, but the Blues were soon again at their opponents, when Roberts by a good kick got the ball into the enemy's quarters. The All Blacks' rush was stopped by Messenger, and the game was removed to the neutral zone for a time, and then Colman headed another rush to the Jocal side's goal line, and when within the 25 yards mark there appeared a prospect of his getting in, but he lost his foothold and a tough tussle ensued in the local territory, which was cnly relieved by the Blues being awarded a free kick. A long return by G. Spencer compelled the Welshmen to force. The All Blacks continued to force the pace b.ut'brilliant kicking by Dix kept the attackers at bay. A free kick to New Zealand gave Wallace a shot at goal, but the ball was cleverly intercept 3d, and a dangerous Blue rush was set in motion. It appeared as if a score was imminent but a faulty pass spoilt the chance. As a result of a desperate struggle on the visitors' line McCue just battled across the goal line, and drew first blood for the home team. The shot at goal was from a difficult angle, and the additional points were not secured, New South Wales ... S New Zealand 0 Almost immediately the game resumed the Blues placed th? All Blacks again on the defensive, but the tension for a time was relieved by a free kick to the visitors. The All Blacks were playing a hard game, but it lacked "devil," and the Blues continued to press them hard, the visitors being forced twice in quick succession. Down again charged the home team, and the All Blacks were once more in difficulties. Try as they would the Welshmen swarmed all over them, and Russell getting possession of the ball slipped over the line. Messenger was entrusted with the shot at goal, which was un- , successful. New South Wales ... 6 New Zealand 0 The New Zealanders could not carry the warfare out of their own ground, and were kept busily defending their line until the whistle sounded halftime without any further addition to the score. The local fifteen had a great ovation for the success so far achieved. The second spell was begun by Francis kicking well down the field. Immediately the Blues began an attack by a rush from the centre of the field, which ended in'a scrum in front of the New Zealand posts. The ball came out to Russell, who whipped it on to Messenger. It was an exciting moment, as both Spencer and Hunter closed on him, but he dived low between them and secured the third try for his side. He took the kick himself, and sent the ball between the posts. New South Wales ... 11 New Zealand 0 The local men were now playing like a machine, no opportunities being given, and no chances were thrown away. The New Zealanders' attacking was defective, and they were demoralised. Certainly they made the game willing enough, but there were no tactics. It was a disorganised defence. The forwards tried desperately to relieve the position, but their opponents had them well in hand. A fine run by Russell was only stopped by Spencer when a certain .score appeared imminent. New Zealand forced the play still persistently, but were kept in their own territory, and they were only able to keep the Blues from scoring. The All Blacks had struck a hornets' nest. It was the hottest thing ever |

1 put up by the local team. The enthusiasm of the onlookers was roused to an intense pitch, and the applause was deafening when Messerger placed a beautiful goal from a mark. New South Wales ... 14 New Zealand 0 The concluding few minutes witnessed the too rare a spectacle of the New Zealanders invading the New South Wales territory. They tried hard to force a passage, but the defence of the home team was just as excellent as the attack had been. Roberts secured a mark in a likely place, but Wallace failed with the kick, the ball going on the outside of the posts. It was the All "Blacks' only chance in the game to get a score, and it was denied them. The whistle sounded without any further score. It was a brilliant vi ctory of a brilliant team.